Christmas tree or Tulsi (Holy Basil) , Let’s look into the benefits of “Tulsi” over “Christmas tree” this Holiday Season!

Tulsi, i.e. Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum) is a herb that is revered in India for its spiritual as well as medicinal benefits. Tulsi is supposed to have a strong bioelectric field; that is why the air in the periphery of approximately 200 meters radius around Tulsi is very clean and pure. In our Indian culture, there is a custom of putting Tulsi leaves on foodstuffs during solar and lunar eclipse, as our sages knew that Tulsi plant possesses extra electrical energy because of which it protects the foodstuff from the harmful influence of the destructive gases and hazardous sun rays during the eclipse time. On the other hand, Tulsi leaves are germicidal too and contain a volatile oil which spreads in the surrounding air and fills the air with radiance, glow and energy. Even the air touching and passing through Tulsi leaves is good for health, for Tulsi leaves contain chemical called eugenol-methyl-ether which is germicidal and mosquito repellent. Additionally, Tulsi plant emits ozone which is very energetic.

Medicinal benefits of Tulsi:

Let’s take a look at the medicinal benefits that Tulsi has to offer us:-

Anti-depressant:-Tulsi is widely regarded as an “Adaptogen” that helps the body deal with stressful situations with the increased number of antioxidants, something that has been confirmed by the studies and research on rats done in 2004; it therefore acts as an anti-stress agent. A daily intake of Tulsi tea (sans milk) or a regular intake of Tulsi leaves (by masticating) reduces the intensity of daily mental stress.

Balancing Blood Sugar:- University of Baroda found after experimentation on rabbits that Tulsi may be helpful in control of sugar level.

Controlling heart diseases:- Study performed by S.N. Medical College (Agra, Uttar Pradesh) has shown results of improvement in cholesterol level, triglycerides, phospholipids etc. PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical education and Research) – Chandigarh, in the year 2005, found its significant benefits in controlling heart diseases.

Prevention of infections related to lungs:- Certain studies in India suggest that Tulsi, along with dietary supplement and clove oils, protects against bacterial colonization of lungs and thus helps in preventing pulmonary diseases.

Protection against Inflammation and Arthritis:- University of Delhi has found that intake of Tulsi helps one cure the ailments related to arthritis and inflammation.

Anti-cancer elements:- Tulsi contains elements that are helpful in curing carcinogenic effects in the body. To know more about the medicinal properties of Tulsi, Refer Link

Moreover, in a research carried out by former Nuclear Scientist – Dr. Mannem Murthy, with an instrument named – Aura Energy and Universal Thermo Scanner (an instrument that uses Nano Technology to measure one’s aura), a startling fact was revealed, which suggested that the aura of a person increased by three meters in all directions by circumambulating a Tulsi plant nine times. The larger the aura of a person, the greater is his efficiency & capacity to work, mental ability and health.

According to a research carried out in the King George’s Medical University of Lucknow, Tulsi leaves are beneficial in peptic ulcer, cardiac disorders, hypertension, colitis and asthma.

Researchers from Rajasthan University in India have discovered that after soaking the Tulsi leaves for eight hours, the level of fluoride in the water was reduced from 7.4 ppm (parts per million), to only 1.1 ppm. The standard level according to WHO is 0.5 to 1 ppm. This alternative method to reduce fluoride in water is probably the least expensive and most suitable in all circumstances in comparison to other techniques that are not affordable or accessible by people in general.

As per the wordings of Asharamji Bapu: “Scientists say that consumption of Tulsi cures (or prevents) malaria, and prevents cancer too, but I say that this perspective is very narrow; more than just being of medicinal usage, Tulsi is a gift of God.”

Why celebrate “Tulsi Worship Day” on 25th December ?

Nowadays, due to the blind imitation of Western culture, there has been a steep rise in the incidents of alcoholism, drunk driving, homicide etc. during the Holiday Season (around Christmas time until the first week of New Year celebrations). It would prove to be a real boon to celebrate this festival during these days because Tulsi is an excellent antidepressant and also increases enthusiasm, vivacity and purity.

The fight over patent on various Indian herbs like Neem, Turmeric has already been an alarming condition for us and now as per few experts, even Tulsi is about to be registered for patent by foreign nationals. Refer link

Therefore, we need to wake up from the darkness of ignorance about our precious indigenous herbs and protect its IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) by creating awareness amongst public about its significance, as it originally belongs to us !

When the entire world is suffering from the fiend of pollution, it is advisable to plant Tulsi (Holy Basil), Neem, Goose Berry (Amla), Banyan (Bargad) and Pipal trees etc., as these herbs and trees exhale oxygen for almost 24 hours and rectify the quality of air by absorbing the side effects of smog due to pollution.

The government, unaware of the benefits of Tulsi, in the name of “environment protection”, has planted eucalyptus and acacia trees at many places that instead cause respiratory disorders and cause imbalance in our body system, further leading towards fatal diseases and disorders – this need to be improvised.

Harmful impacts of putting Christmas-Tree inside the house

While the Christmas and holiday celebrations have already started this week, it is pertinent to note that the harmful impacts associated with Christmas tree are numerous (as described below):-

Christmas Tree Syndrome is caused by a number of different moulds growing and rapidly increasing on the tree placed inside centrally heated homes, the fact released in a study conducted by allergy specialist Dr Lawrence Kurlandsky, who was keen to discover the reason behind respiratory illnesses being at its peak around Christmas time. He found that 53 different kinds of moulds were present on 23 samples – according to the research published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Live, cut Christmas trees’ pine needles can be ingested and can puncture intestines too! Also, pine is highly toxic to cats, potentially causing liver damage and death. Fire retardants are sprayed on artificial and live Christmas trees and pose a potential danger. A 2007 study published by the Environmental Protection Agency linked fire retardants to thyroid disease in cats and possibly humans.

Dr. Lanphear says “Lead exposure is an established risk factor for hypertension, infertility, and in kids, can lead to a diminished IQ”. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that there is no safe level of lead exposure associated with artificial Christmas trees and it impacts adversely on health, irrespective of the amount of time one remains in contact of that tree.

Therefore, Tulsi Pujan Divas will definitely prove advantageous for the humanity as a whole, irrespective of any communal issues, and would be celebrated for the whole of the week until the 1st of January.

“25 December- Ek Nayi Pehal” launched by the Bal Sanskar Kendra under the aegis of venerable saint Shri Asharamji Bapu would be available on December 24th and the special telecast of the same would be on Sadhna channel from 2-3 pm on December 24th itself.